Jewelry with rotating element therein

ABSTRACT

A jewelry item, piece of jewelry, and ornament having a rotating design element therein. In one illustrative embodiment, a piece of jewelry can include an ornamental element maintained within a housing unit. The housing unit can be made so that the ornamental element rotates along its horizontal axis. The piece of jewelry can also include a turning assembly, which can be located within the housing unit. The turning assembly can rotate the ornamental element along the horizontal axis defined by the housing unit. In another illustrative embodiment, a piece of jewelry having a rotating pinwheel is presented. The pinwheel can be rotated either horizontally or vertically. The piece of jewelry can include a body for retaining the pinwheel and a rotary element for spinning the pinwheel. The rotary element can be placed within the body.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application generally relates to a piece of jewelry, and more particularly, to a number of mechanisms for rotating an ornamental element within the piece of jewelry.

BACKGROUND

In Downtown Los Angeles, jewelry is sold from an estimated five thousand (5,000) businesses and vendors. This area, otherwise known as the Jewelry District, stretches from Hill Street, Olive Street, and Broadway between (fifth) 5^(th) and (eighth) 8^(th) Streets. Consumers can find almost anything within the Jewelry District including pins, pendants, brooches, necklaces, rings, and watches. Often the jewelry is made of precious stones, gold, and silver.

Recently, pieces of jewelry have incorporated movable design elements to enhance their effect. These pieces can use manual or gravitational forces to rotate these design elements. When rotating, the design element causes light to reflect at different angles thereby making the jewelry more attractive to the eye. Nonetheless, operating under manual or gravitational forces are burdensome to maintain and limit the duration and speed in which the design element can be rotated.

Subsequent thereto, motors were placed in pieces of jewelry for spinning the design element. Limiting, however, was the provided movement and the lack of designs. Typically, these motors spun the design element at a central location directly down a vertical line of the design element. By spinning the design element at a central location, light would be reflected at a minimum number of points. For example, if a diamond had a round cut, the amount of reflected light would be very minimal if spun around its center. A need therefore exists to provide a piece of jewelry or ornament that can provide an aesthetically pleasing look which can also rotate the entire design element around a horizontal axis or have a more pleasing design.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In accordance with one aspect of the present application, a jewelry item is provided. The jewelry item includes an ornamental element. In addition, the jewelry item includes a housing having the ornamental element mounted thereon, wherein the housing allows the ornamental element to rotate along a horizontal axis. The jewelry also includes a turning assembly for rotating the ornamental element along the horizontal axis.

In accordance with another aspect of the present application, a piece of jewelry is provided. The piece of jewelry includes a pinwheel. In addition, the piece of jewelry includes a body for retaining the pinwheel. The piece of jewelry also includes a rotary element within the body for spinning the pinwheel.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present application, an ornament is provided. The ornament includes a body having a first half and a second half, the first half and the second half defining a cavity within the body when combined. In addition, the ornament includes a cylinder coupled to the body. The ornament also includes a driver for rotating the cylinder coupled to the body, the driver located within the cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The novel features believed to be characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. In the descriptions that follow, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain figures can be shown in exaggerated or generalized form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The application itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary jewelry item providing a rotating element thereon in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 2 depicts another exemplary jewelry item having an ornamental element rotating thereon in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 3 shows an illustrative compartment within the jewelry item in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a typical assembly diagram for putting together the exemplary jewelry item in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting rotational components within the internal compartment of the jewelry item in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a view of a typical motor for rotating the ornamental element in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative wind-up mechanism for rotating the ornamental element in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 9 illustrates another mechanism for rotating the ornamental element in accordance with one aspect of the present application; and

FIG. 10 provides an exemplary jewelry item having multiple rotational elements thereon in accordance with one aspect of the present application.

DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION

The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the application and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present application can be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the application in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences can be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of this application.

Generally described, the present application relates to jewelry, and more particularly, to pieces of jewelry having rotating design elements therein. In one illustrative embodiment, a piece of jewelry can include an ornamental element maintained within a housing unit. The housing unit can be made so that the ornamental element rotates along its horizontal axis. The piece of jewelry can also include a turning assembly, which can be located within the housing unit. The turning assembly can rotate the ornamental element along the horizontal axis defined by the housing unit. In another illustrative embodiment, a piece of jewelry having a rotating pinwheel is presented. The pinwheel can be rotated either horizontally or vertically. The piece of jewelry can include a body for retaining the pinwheel and a rotary element for spinning the pinwheel. The rotary element can be placed within the body.

The illustrative embodiments provided above were for exemplary purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present application. Additional features and embodiments will be provided below.

As referred to in the present application, jewelry can include any object worn for personal adornment such as bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings, etc. Furthermore, jewelry can also refer to, attachments to such things as purses, handbags, phones, cars, belts, etc. The jewelry can be made of many types of materials, such as gemstones, precious metals, shells, and ultimately depends on the culture and availability of the materials. The embodiments presented below are provided in the form of rings. Nonetheless, the scope of the present application and the embodiments provided herein should not be limited to such. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the concepts and features presented below can be implemented and applied to any type of jewelry including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc.

A number of terms are presented throughout this application. The term rotating element can be interchanged with ornamental element or the like. Furthermore, housing can be interchanged with body, housing unit, or any other similar term. Rotary element, driver, and turning assembly can also be interchangeable. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that those terms provided above can be interchanged with a variety of other terms and those terms presented above should not limit the scope of the application.

With reference now to FIG. 1, an exemplary jewelry item 100 having a rotating element 102 thereon is presented. In the shown embodiment, the rotating element 102 can include a pinwheel. The pinwheel 102 can include a six leaf structure or eight leaf structure, Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the pinwheel 102 can incorporate fewer or more leaves. Typically, each leaf of the pinwheel 102 can have a different color or pattern. When spun, the pinwheel 102 can provide a look that captures the attention of a passerby or the user themselves. The pinwheel 102 can be spun in a clockwise or counterclockwise motion. Mechanisms for spinning the pinwheel 102 will be described in greater detail below.

A body portion 104 of the jewelry item 100 can hold the pinwheel 102 in place. The body 104 can take a number of different shapes and forms. As shown, the body 104 can take the form of a ring. Alternatively, the body 104 can take the form of a necklace, bracelet, earring, etc.

As will become apparent from the discussion below, the pinwheel 102 can be rotated. Those features and embodiments presented below can be implemented within the jewelry item 100 discussed above. FIG. 2 depicts another exemplary jewelry item 200 having an ornamental element 202 rotating thereon in accordance with one aspect of the present application. The ornamental element 202 can have a cylindrical shape or oblong structure as shown. Attached to the ornamental element 202 can be a number of precious stones or gems. In typical operation, the ornamental element 202 rotates along a horizontal axis. The ornamental element 202 can spin in an up-to-down motion or a down-to-up motion. The housing 204 of the jewelry item 200 can take the form of a ring. The housing 204 can provide a horizontal axis for the ornamental element 202 to rotate on. More details of the spinning mechanism will be presented below.

FIG. 3 shows internal compartment 302 and 304 of the exemplary jewelry item 200 in accordance with one aspect of the present application. In this cross-sectional diagram of the jewelry item 200, the first compartment 302 can contain a power source while the second compartment 304 can contain a turning assembly for turning the ornamental element 202. Alternatively, the power source can be placed within the second compartment 304 and the turning assembly can be placed within the first compartment 302. In other embodiments, a single compartment can be used to house both the power source and the turning assembly.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the jewelry item 200. As shown, the ornamental element 202 can include a solid core surround by a number of precious stones or gems 402. As shown, and in one embodiment, the ornamental element 202 can include seven (7) columns and twelve (12) rows of stones or gems 402. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that any number of columns and rows can be used. Between each row can be fastener that can bend with the stones or gems 402. The stones or gems 402 can be coupled to a tube 404. The tube 404 can contain apertures 408, which will be described in FIG. 7. The tube 404 can thereafter be attached to a pivoting mechanism 406 that can be spun by the turning assembly.

As previously shown, the body 204 of the jewelry item 200 can include internal compartments 302 and 304. These compartments 302 and 304 can be used to house components for the turning assembly as shown in FIG. 5. The assembly steps 500 provided below are for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting to the present application.

Beginning at block 502, the jewelry item is laid out. The body can include two pieces that can be coupled at the bottom. The pieces can be coupled by a pivoting mechanism that allows the two pieces to separate, but then be combined in an easy-to-assemble fashion. The body can include several hollowed interior portions that can eventually form the compartments described above. In most embodiments, the compartments can provide for a water-tight enclosure. At block 504, a power source and motor can be inserted into the body, and more specifically, into the hollowed interior portions. Typically, the power source and motor can be placed in different portions. The power source can then be connected to the motor.

At block 506, the ornamental element can then be placed within the body so that a portion of the ornamental element is exposed. The motor can be connected to the ornamental element. At block 508, the body is secured by a fastening device. When shut, the body allows the ornamental element to rotate using the motor. A final product is shown at block 510.

Internally, when put together, the jewelry item 200 can be depicted as shown in FIG. 6. In one embodiment, the internal compartment 302 can include a motor, while the other internal compartment 304 can include a battery 604. Typically, the battery 604 used can be a SR41 or SR43. In alternative embodiments, other smaller types of batteries 604 can be used as long as they can fit within the compartment 304. While not shown, the wiring from the battery can then be fed to motor 602. The motor 602, in turn, can rotate the ornamental element 202.

In more detail, and in an entirely new embodiment, the motor 602 and the battery 604 can be located within a single compartment 302 or 304 as shown in FIG. 7. The motor 602 can turn a number of extensions 702. These extensions can correspond to the apertures 408 provided with the ornamental element 202 so that the ornamental element 202 can be turned as shown in FIG. 4.

With reference now to FIG. 8, an illustrative wind-up mechanism 802 can be used for rotating the ornamental element 202 in accordance with one aspect of the present application. The wind-up mechanism 802 can be used instead of the motor 602 and power source 604 combination provided above.

In one embodiment, the wind-up mechanisms 802 can use a mainspring for providing spiral torsion. By turning a knob or key, such as that shown within FIG. 8, energy is stored in the mainspring by making the spiral tighter. The force of the mainspring then turns the wheels of the wind-up mechanism 802 until the next winding is needed.

While numerous mechanisms were provided above for rotating the ornamental element 202, those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that there are a variety of such mechanisms and those described above are not intended to limit the scope of the present application. FIG. 9 illustrates another mechanism for rotating the ornamental element 202 in accordance with one aspect of the present application. Before compartments 302 and 304 were described for holding a power source 604 and a motor 602. In this embodiment, those compartments 302 and 304 have been removed and instead, apertures 902 within the body 204 have been provided. Through the apertures 902, wind can be provided to push fins 904 that have been connected to the ornamental element 202. This can cause the ornamental element 202 to rotate or spin.

While the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 includes two apertures 902, those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the body 204 of the jewelry item 200 can be shaped in many different ways for wind to be provided to the ornamental element 202. Furthermore, the fins 904 can provide an aesthetically pleasing portion of the jewelry item 200.

In other embodiments of the present application, the jewelry item 200 can include a circuit, microprocessor, or the like to turn off and on the turning assembly or more generally, control the ornamental element 202. Furthermore, the turning assembly can operate on magnets and bearings. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that there are a number of different mechanisms that can be used to turn or rotate the ornamental element 202. While the primary emphasis was rotating the ornamental element 202 along a horizontal line, the ornamental element 202 can also be rotated along a vertical line as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 provides an exemplary jewelry item 200 having multiple rotational elements 202 thereon in accordance with one aspect of the present application. As shown, the jewelry item 200 can include two ornamental elements 202 spinning horizontally. In other embodiments, or the same embodiment provided above, ornamental elements 202 can be spun in a vertical motion as shown. Numerous implementations can be provided for and those presented above do not limit the scope of the present application.

In accordance with one aspect of the present application, a jewelry item is provided. The jewelry item includes an ornamental element. In addition, the jewelry item includes a housing having the ornamental element mounted thereon, wherein the housing allows the ornamental element to rotate along a horizontal axis. The jewelry also includes a turning assembly for rotating the ornamental element along the horizontal axis.

In one embodiment, the ornamental element has an oblong-shaped structure. In one embodiment, the ornamental element includes a plurality of precious stones. In one embodiment, the plurality of precious stones include diamonds, rubies, gems, and a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the housing includes a water-resistant enclosure for protecting the turning assembly. In one embodiment, the housing includes two halves and a coupling mechanism to provide the water-resistant enclosure.

In one embodiment, the turning assembly includes a power supply and a motor coupled to the power supply for rotating said ornamental element. In one embodiment, the turning assembly includes a set of magnetic devices for rotating the ornamental element. In one embodiment, the housing includes at least one aperture for allowing air to flow through the turning assembly to rotate the ornamental element. In one embodiment, the turning assembly includes a plurality of fins for catching the air.

In one embodiment, the turning assembly includes a set of bearings for rotating the ornamental element. In one embodiment, the turning assembly includes a microprocessor for adjusting the rotation of the ornamental element. In one embodiment, the turning assembly includes a wind-up device for rotating the ornamental element.

In accordance with another aspect of the present application, a piece of jewelry is provided. The piece of jewelry includes a pinwheel. In addition, the piece of jewelry includes a body for retaining the pinwheel. The piece of jewelry also includes a rotary element within the body for spinning the pinwheel.

In one embodiment, the pinwheel includes a six-leaf configuration. In one embodiment, the pinwheel rotates in a clock-wise direction. In one embodiment, the pinwheel rotates in a counter clock-wise direction.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present application, an ornament is provided. The ornament includes a body having a first half and a second half, the first half and the second half defining a cavity within the body when combined. In addition, the ornament includes a cylinder coupled to the body. The ornament also includes a driver for rotating the cylinder coupled to the body, the driver located within the cavity.

In one embodiment, the cylinder includes a plurality of different colors. In one embodiment, the ornament further includes a plurality of rotating elements in addition to the cylinder.

The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the relevant art to practice the various embodiments described herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the relevant art, and generic principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown and described herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. 

1. A jewelry item comprising: an ornamental element; a housing having said ornamental element mounted thereon, wherein said housing allows said ornamental element to rotate along a horizontal axis; and a turning assembly for rotating said ornamental element along said horizontal axis.
 2. The jewelry item of claim 1, wherein said ornamental element has an oblong-shaped structure.
 3. The jewelry item of claim 2, wherein said ornamental element comprises a plurality of precious stones.
 4. The jewelry item of claim 3, wherein said plurality of precious stones are selected from the group consisting of diamonds, rubies, gems, and a combination thereof.
 5. The jewelry item of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a water-resistant enclosure for protecting said turning assembly.
 6. The jewelry item of claim 5, wherein said housing comprises two halves and a coupling mechanism to provide said water-resistant enclosure.
 7. The jewelry item of claim 1, wherein said turning assembly comprises: a power supply; and a motor coupled to said power supply for rotating said ornamental element.
 8. The jewelry item of claim 1, wherein said turning assembly comprises a set of magnetic devices for rotating said ornamental element.
 9. The jewelry item of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises at least one aperture for allowing air to flow through said turning assembly to rotate said ornamental element.
 10. The jewelry item of claim 9, wherein said turning assembly comprises a plurality of fins for catching said air.
 11. The jewelry item of claim 1, wherein said turning assembly comprises a set of bearings for rotating said ornamental element.
 12. The jewelry item of claim 1, wherein said turning assembly comprises a microprocessor for adjusting said rotation of said ornamental element.
 13. The jewelry item of claim 1, wherein said turning assembly comprises a wind-up device for rotating said ornamental element.
 14. A piece of jewelry comprising: a pinwheel; a body for retaining said pinwheel; and a rotary element within said body for spinning said pinwheel.
 15. The piece of jewelry of claim 14, wherein said pinwheel comprises a six-leaf configuration.
 16. The piece of jewelry of claim 14, wherein said pinwheel rotates in a clock-wise direction.
 17. The piece of jewelry of claim 14, wherein said pinwheel rotates in a counter clock-wise direction.
 18. An ornament comprising: a body having a first half and a second half, said first half and said second half defining a cavity within said body when combined; a cylinder coupled to said body; and a driver for rotating said cylinder coupled to said body, said driver located within said cavity.
 19. The ornament of claim 18, wherein said cylinder comprises a plurality of different colors.
 20. The ornament of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of rotating elements in addition to said cylinder. 